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Category: Politics

  • MIL-OSI Russia: South Korea to seek win-win trade deal with US

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    SEOUL, July 8 (Xinhua) — The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy of the Republic of Korea (ROK) said Tuesday it will make efforts to reach a mutually beneficial trade deal with the United States after U.S. President Donald Trump effectively delayed the imposition of new tariffs on South Korean products.

    The ministry said in a statement that Seoul has been actively negotiating since the inauguration of the new government led by President Lee Jae-myung on June 4, guided by the principle of prioritizing national interests.

    The ministry noted that there is not enough time to reach an agreement on all issues, considering D. Trump’s letter to be a de facto postponement of the introduction of “equivalent” tariffs on South Korean products.

    The ministry promised to step up efforts to achieve mutually beneficial results in the remaining period of negotiations to quickly resolve tariff-related uncertainties, adding that Kazakhstan will address the trade deficit that worries the US by improving domestic rules and streamlining regulations.

    According to the statement, the ministry will seek to create an opportunity for a breakthrough in key industries through partnership between the two countries to revive manufacturing.

    In his letter to the South Korean leader, published on the social network Truth Social, D. Trump said that the two countries must abandon the long-term and permanent trade deficit caused by tariffs, non-tariff policies and trade barriers on the part of the Republic of Korea. –0–

    Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    .

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: New UK support to power green growth at home while tackling climate change abroad

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    News story

    New UK support to power green growth at home while tackling climate change abroad

    Senior Cabinet ministers meet City of London leaders as Foreign Secretary announces new climate support

    • Foreign Secretary announces new funding to make it easier for countries to access UK private sector climate finance and disaster risk insurance, driving UK green growth.

    • Support comes as senior Cabinet ministers meet City of London leaders to discuss UK financial sector’s role in boosting sustainable finance for emerging markets and developing economies.

    • David Lammy to set out the economic opportunity for the UK and the City of London, in line with the government’s Plan for Change—with emerging markets expected to drive 65% of global growth by 2035.

    New support will help millions of people globally deal with the daily impact of climate change, the Foreign Secretary David Lammy has today announced (Tuesday 8 July).

    A £12m commitment for disaster relief finance and insurance will help climate-vulnerable countries better prepare for the impact of disasters like hurricanes and drought. 

    This funding is triggered by certain warning signs—such as a weather event or forecast—to enable faster payouts and a more effective response.

    Backed by the UK financial sector, this will also help drive domestic green growth and unlock jobs, opportunity and security for people in the UK.

    This new funding comes as Cabinet Ministers from the Treasury, Foreign Office, DESNZ and DEFRA will today meet leaders from the financial sector. They will collectively discuss how to champion UK-based investors and financial institutions to channel investment into climate initiatives in emerging markets.

    Foreign Secretary David Lammy said:

    The climate and nature crisis is the greatest global challenge we face. Failure to act will cause unprecedented environmental damage, fuelling displacement, conflict and famine.

    Tackling this crisis is also a huge opportunity for people and businesses here in the UK, delivering on our Plan for Change. The green sector is worth trillions of pounds, and I’m determined that we seize the economic growth, jobs and security it offers.

    The City of London, the world’s leading sustainable development financing hub, has a crucial role to play in this.

    Today’s measures, in support of the UK government’s Plan for Change, will help unlock sustainable finance from the UK and elsewhere, and ensure developing countries can better manage climate shocks themselves.

    This effort will help foster sustainable growth and protect the most climate vulnerable nations. Global climate investment is increasing rapidly, hitting $2.1 trillion last year, and the government sees the City of London in a prime position to capitalise on this opportunity.

    Last year the UK’s green sector grew three times faster than the economy as a whole, attracting £43bn of private investment. With London ranked as the world’s top sustainable finance centre, the UK is uniquely positioned to grow this industry further by helping to unlock finance for emerging markets that will drive 65% of global growth by 2035.

    The £12 million for pre-arranged finance will cut the cost of responding to disasters and accelerate the time it takes them to recover from such shocks.

    This follows the UK launching a global coalition with its partners last week, to scale up pre-arranged finance tenfold by 2035, alongside a coalition to drive greater investment for developing economies through public markets. This was announced by the Minister for Development Baroness Chapman at the 4th International Conference on Financing for Development in Sevilla, Spain.

    The Foreign Secretary is also today announcing that the UK’s Financial Services Centre of Expertise will help financial regulators across ASEAN access expertise from the Financial Conduct Authority. The initiative will focus on regulatory alignment across ASEAN markets to deliver green growth opportunities for UK investors. 

    BACKGROUND:

    • It’s the first time multiple cabinet ministers will be attending a meeting with leaders from the City of London together, signalling a growth opportunity on climate action.
    • The UK will be first country to annually publish pre-arranged finance as a percentage of overall crisis finance spending, with the aspiration of increasing this over time.

    Updates to this page

    Published 8 July 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Appointment to the Judicial Pension Board

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    News story

    Appointment to the Judicial Pension Board

    The Lord Chancellor has approved the appointment of Josephine Maguire as Chair of the Judicial Pension Board.

    The Lord Chancellor has approved the appointment, for 3 years from 1 July 2025, of Josephine Maguire as Chair of the Judicial Pension Board.

    Josephine Maguire is a Trustee of the DH&S Retirement and Death Benefits Plan and the Price Waterhouse Coopers (PwC) Pension Fund. Previously, she was a Pensions Assurance director with PwC and an Executive Director of the Pensions Research Accountants Group.

    In January, she was appointed as the as the Independent Pensions Specialist to the Teachers’ Pension Scheme Pension Board

    Ms Maguire has been Interim Chair of the Judicial Pension Board since 20 May.

    The Judicial Pension Board, established under the Judicial Pension Regulations 2015), helps the Lord Chancellor manage and govern the Judicial Pension Schemes by: ensuring they comply with the requirements of the Pensions Regulator; considering appeals and complaints; and making recommendations in internal dispute processes.

    Appointments are made, by the Lord Chancellor, under the Judicial Pension Regulations 2015 and are regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments. This appointment has been made in line with the Governance Code on Public Appointments.

    Updates to this page

    Published 8 July 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Government and business put forward “Team UK” approach to unleash defence sector’s potential

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments 3

    Press release

    Government and business put forward “Team UK” approach to unleash defence sector’s potential

    Plans to deliver jobs across the UK by unlocking the full economic potential of Britain’s defence sector are set to be unveiled today (8 July 2025).

    • Recommendations unveiled today by the Defence and Economic Growth Taskforce will build upon 14,000 extra jobs supported by government investment in the defence sector

    • Comes as Defence Tech company Helsing announces the UK’s first Resilience Factory in Plymouth as it accelerates £350m UK investment in Artificial Intelligence

    • Taskforce report puts forward “Team UK” government and business collaboration to drive growth and create jobs as part of government’s Plan for Change

    Recommendations from the Defence and Economic Growth Taskforce will outline key steps – including developing regional Defence Growth Deals – to ensure that working people benefit from the government’s move to increase defence spending.

    New opportunities for UK workers are already on the way with defence tech company Helsing announcing that it will open the UK’s first Resilience Factory this year. The UK technology and its supply chain will create specialist high-value jobs in the South West and across the country, as Helsing doubles the size of its UK business.

    Helsing’s acceleration of its £350m Trinity House private investment will see it provide allied navies with AI-powered miniature submarines to protect critical underwater infrastructure. The advanced manufacturing facility will be based in Plymouth, as the new national centre of marine autonomy.

    The Taskforce’s recommendations will be launched at a Ministry of Defence roundtable chaired by the Chancellor Rachel Reeves and Defence Secretary John Healey later today.

    The report’s key recommendation is for a “Team UK” strategy to ensure the UK is globally competitive, driving innovation, jobs and prosperity across the UK, reforming procurement and contracting processes to grow the UK defence sector – in line with the Strategic Defence Review.

    It also recommends prioritising investment in “dual use” technologies that can be used for both civil and military purposes in the UK.

    The meeting comes as figures published last week show that 151,000 UK jobs are directly supported by the MOD’s spend with industry – an increase of 14,000 on the previous year.

    Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves, said:

    “A new era of threats demands a new era for defence and security. That’s why we took the decision to prioritise defence spending, increasing it to 2.6% of GDP by April 2027.

    “Through this, and the work of the Defence and Economic Growth Taskforce – including Helsing’s welcome announcement of the first UK Resilience Factory – we are securing our nation and unleashing the economic potential in the Defence sector, benefitting working people across the UK through our Plan for Change.”

    Ned Baker, UK Managing Director, Helsing:

    “Helsing supports the Government’s ambitions for our defences and economy. We are investing in both by opening the first UK Resilience Factory and accelerating our £350m commitment.

    “We have confidence in the Government’s commitment to new technological solutions for defence. Together, we can attract further private investment, equipping our Armed Forces and growing the economy.”

    The Secretary of State for Defence, John Healey, said:

    “In a new era for defence, we are building a new partnership with the UK’s outstanding defence industry, with innovators and with investors.

    “We will equip our Armed Forces for the future and make defence an engine for economic growth through our Defence Industrial Strategy – unlocking investment, reforming procurement, championing innovation and backing companies of all sizes.
    “I welcome the Defence and Economic Growth Taskforce’s report which recognises how we can boost high-skilled jobs across the country and grow our economy while strengthening our frontline forces.”

    The government has already begun work on three of the report’s recommendations:

    • Establishing a defence SME Hub to provide support to new market entrants.

    • Commencing work on a Defence Exports Office in the MOD, as announced in the Strategic Defence Review.

    • Committing to developing Defence Growth Deals across the UK at the Spending Review.

    The remaining recommendations will now be worked through as part of the cross-Whitehall Defence Growth Board and the Defence Industrial Joint Council ahead of the forthcoming launch of the Defence Industrial Strategy.

    The Taskforce, led by the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) with Oliver Wyman and co-chaired by the Chancellor and Defence Secretary, is a unique partnership between government, industry and financial institutions. Its 20 member organisations have collaborated with HM Treasury and the MOD to produce the recommendations.

    Updates to this page

    Published 8 July 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: GCA Annual Conference 2025

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    News story

    GCA Annual Conference 2025

    Registration is now open for the GCA’s 2025 Annual Conference which will take place on Tuesday 30 September.

    The conference will bring together the 14 large retailers, suppliers and industry experts to reflect on changes to the groceries sector, ongoing challenges, support available for suppliers and future priorities. There will also be a session from YouGov taking a closer look at the GCA’s 2025 annual survey results.

    The conference is free to attend, and participants can join online or in person.

    How to register

    In person

    To express an interest to attend in person, in Central London, please complete this form.

    Please be aware that spaces are limited for in-person attendance. If we can offer you an in-person place, we will send you an email confirmation with further information.

    Online

    Alternatively, you can register to join online.

    If you have any questions about the conference, please email enquiries@groceriescode.gov.uk.

    Updates to this page

    Published 8 July 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • Gujarat records widespread showers, Borsad tops rainfall chart

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Gujarat witnessed rainfall across 153 talukas over the past 24 hours, with heavier showers concentrated in a few regions. According to officials on Tuesday, 12 talukas recorded more than one inch of rainfall, with Borsad in central Gujarat receiving the highest amount at 99 mm.

    Godhra followed closely with 95 mm, while Gandhidham and Mandvi in the Kutch region recorded 58 mm and 57 mm respectively. Other talukas that saw significant rainfall include Khambhalia (49 mm) and Bhachau (48 mm).

    According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), more rain is expected in several parts of the state. As of the morning of July 8, Gujarat had received nearly 47 per cent of its average monsoon rainfall, based on a 10-year seasonal benchmark. The state has experienced a robust start to the monsoon season, with 266–324 mm of rain recorded since June 1 – about 37–40 per cent of the seasonal average.

    This comes after an earlier report noted that June witnessed exceptionally high rainfall, with cumulative figures running nearly 11 per cent above the long-term national average. Regionally, rainfall distribution has varied: South Gujarat has received over 23 inches (nearly double the average), Central-East Gujarat around 12 inches, Saurashtra approximately 245 mm, and Kutch around 142 mm. Daily rainfall data indicates that nearly 47 per cent of the expected June-to-September total has already fallen by July 8.

    The IMD forecasts suggest that July rainfall will likely exceed 106 per cent of the long-period average for Gujarat, bringing continued widespread — and at times heavy to very heavy — showers through the middle of the month.

    In response to the above-normal rainfall, the Gujarat government has intensified its monsoon preparedness efforts. Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel has instructed officials to carry out urgent road repairs, especially in flood-prone rural and urban areas, treating the situation as a matter of priority.

    The State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC) is closely monitoring rainfall patterns and reservoir levels. Disaster response teams, including units from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), have been deployed in vulnerable districts.

    Control rooms are operating round-the-clock, and district administrations have been directed to ensure quick drainage in low-lying areas, provide temporary shelters where needed, and coordinate with health and electricity departments to prevent service disruptions.

    (IANS)

  • MIL-OSI: Valeura Energy Inc.: Q2 2025 Operations and Financial Update

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SINGAPORE, July 08, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Valeura Energy Inc. (TSX:VLE, OTCQX:VLERF) (“Valeura” or the “Company”) is pleased to provide an update on Q2 2025 operations.

    Highlights

    • Safe ongoing operations, with oil production averaging 21.4 mbbls/d(1) – maintaining full year production guidance of 23.0 – 25.5 mbbls/d;
    • Revenue of US$129.3 million;
    • Taxes of US$15.8 million paid, primarily in respect of the Jasmine asset. No further cash tax payments anticipated for the remainder of 2025;
    • Cash position of US$241.9 million and no debt; and
    • Final investment decision on the Wassana Field redevelopment and construction phase commenced.

    (1) Working interest share oil production, before royalties.

    Dr. Sean Guest, President and CEO commented:

    “During Q2 2025 we demonstrated another safe quarter of ongoing production and drilling operations and took a positive final investment decision on our major redevelopment project at the Wassana field, which is now moving to the construction phase.

    While production volumes are down quarter-on-quarter, our plan had always assumed that production would be weighted to the second half of the year and we are therefore maintaining our full-year production guidance range of 23.0 – 25.5 mbbls/d.

    From a financial perspective, we continue to prioritise balance sheet strength, and firmly believe this will serve our stakeholders well as we pursue opportunities to add value. While the headwinds of lower global oil prices during the quarter are apparent in our revenue of US$129.3 million, we are continuing to invest while maintaining a strong cash position.”

    Q2 2025 Update

    Working interest share production before royalties averaged 21.4 mbbls/d during Q2 2025, a decrease of 10.2% from Q1 2025. Rates reflect the impact of planned downtime and natural declines at Valeura’s larger producing assets, which is consistent with the Company’s business plan. Q2 was anticipated to be the lowest production quarter of the year, and with rates weighted to the second half of 2025, the Company is maintaining its full year production guidance range of 23.0 – 25.5 mbbls/d.

    Oil sales totalled 1.90 million bbls during Q2 2025. The Company recorded a net increase in oil inventory, as measured at the end of the quarter, to a total of 0.93 million bbls at June 30, 2025. In addition, a parcel of 0.24 million bbls of oil was sold just after the end of the quarter, on July 1, 2025.

    Price realisations averaged US$67.95/bbl during Q2 2025, a US$0.67/bbl premium over the weighted average Brent crude oil benchmark. Realised price was down 14% from Q1 2025 given the significant drop in global oil prices.

    Taxes for the Company’s Thai I concession (Jasmine) are due in May of each year for the prior full year, and US$15.8 million was duly paid during the quarter primarily in respect of this asset. Taxes for the Company’s Thai III concessions (Nong Yao, Manora, and Wassana) are due in May and August of each year, however taxable income for the current tax period (2H 2024) was fully offset by tax loss carry-forwards. Given the above, no further tax payments are expected in 2025.

    Despite a relatively low oil price, a full quarter of spending on drilling operations, and scheduled Thai tax payments, Valeura’s cash position at June 30, 2025, was US$241.9 million (with no debt), up slightly from the previous quarter-end. In addition, US$19.6 million in revenue, relating to a lifting on June 25, 2025, was not received until early in July 2025. As a result, this US$19.6 million is not included in the revenue or the Company’s cash balance at June 30, 2025, but will be correctly accounted in the Q2 financials.

    Operations Update
    Production operations are continuing safely on Valeura’s four Gulf of Thailand fields, with no lost time injuries.

    During the quarter, Valeura mobilised its contracted drilling rig to Block G11/48 (Nong Yao, 90% working interest). The drilling campaign is progressing as planned toward its objective of approximately 10 new development wells and is expected to be complete in Q4 2025. The campaign will entail new development wells drilled from each of the three Nong Yao wellhead facilities, and will therefore include the first ever infill development wells on the Nong Yao C platform, which the Company installed in 2024.

    In May 2025, Valeura took a final investment decision on redevelopment the Wassana field in Licence G10/48 (100% interest). The project will entail deployment of a new central processing platform facility on the field, intended to increase production, reduce costs, and create a hub for eventual tie-in of potential additional satellite wellhead platforms. The project is on plan, and moving into its construction phase now. First production is planned for Q2 2027.

    Results Timing
    Valeura intends to release its full unaudited financial and operating results for Q2 2025 on August 7, 2025, and will discuss the results in more detail through a management webcast hosted later that day.

    For further information, please contact:

    Valeura Energy Inc. (General Corporate Enquiries)
    +65 6373 6940
    Sean Guest, President and CEO
    Yacine Ben-Meriem, CFO
    Contact@valeuraenergy.com

    Valeura Energy Inc. (Investor and Media Enquiries)
    +1 403 975 6752 / +44 7392 940495
    Robin James Martin, Vice President, Communications and Investor Relations
    IR@valeuraenergy.com

    About the Company

    Valeura Energy Inc. is a Canadian public company engaged in the exploration, development and production of petroleum and natural gas in Thailand and in Türkiye. The Company is pursuing a growth-oriented strategy and intends to re-invest into its producing asset portfolio and to deploy resources toward further organic and inorganic growth in Southeast Asia. Valeura aspires toward value accretive growth for stakeholders while adhering to high standards of environmental, social and governance responsibility.

    Additional information relating to Valeura is also available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.

    Advisory and Caution Regarding Forward-Looking Information

    Certain information included in this news release constitutes forward-looking information under applicable securities legislation. Such forward-looking information is for the purpose of explaining management’s current expectations and plans relating to the future. Readers are cautioned that reliance on such information may not be appropriate for other purposes, such as making investment decisions. Forward-looking information typically contains statements with words such as “anticipate”, “believe”, “expect”, “plan”, “intend”, “estimate”, “propose”, “project”, “target” or similar words suggesting future outcomes or statements regarding an outlook.

    Forward-looking information in this news release includes, but is not limited to, the Company’s anticipated full year 2025 guidance assumptions; no further cash tax payments being anticipated in 2025; timing and composition of future drilling campaigns; the effect of the Wassana redevelopment project on production, costs, and future growth of the G10/48 block; and timing for first production from the Wassana redevelopment project. Although the Company believes the expectations and assumptions reflected in such forward-looking information are reasonable, they may prove to be incorrect.

    Forward-looking information is based on management’s current expectations and assumptions regarding, among other things: political stability of the areas in which the Company is operating; continued safety of operations and ability to proceed in a timely manner; continued operations of and approvals forthcoming from governments and regulators in a manner consistent with past conduct; ability to achieve extensions to licences in Thailand and Türkiye to support attractive development and resource recovery; future drilling activity on the required/expected timelines; the prospectivity of the Company’s lands; the continued favourable pricing and operating netbacks across its business; future production rates and associated operating netbacks and cash flow; decline rates; future sources of funding; future economic conditions; the impact of inflation of future costs; future currency exchange rates; interest rates; the ability to meet drilling deadlines and fulfil commitments under licences and leases; future commodity prices; the impact of the Russian invasion of Ukraine; the impact of conflicts in the Middle East; royalty rates and taxes; management’s estimate of cumulative tax losses being correct; future capital and other expenditures; the success obtained in drilling new wells and working over existing wellbores; the performance of wells and facilities; the availability of the required capital to funds its exploration, development and other operations, and the ability of the Company to meet its commitments and financial obligations; the ability of the Company to secure adequate processing, transportation, fractionation and storage capacity on acceptable terms; the capacity and reliability of facilities; the application of regulatory requirements respecting abandonment and reclamation; the recoverability of the Company’s reserves and contingent resources; future growth; the sufficiency of budgeted capital expenditures in carrying out planned activities; the impact of increasing competition; the availability and identification of mergers and acquisition opportunities; the ability to successfully negotiate and complete any mergers and acquisition opportunities; the ability to efficiently integrate assets and employees acquired through acquisitions; global energy policies going forward; international trade policies; future debt levels; and the Company’s continued ability to obtain and retain qualified staff and equipment in a timely and cost efficient manner. In addition, the Company’s work programmes and budgets are in part based upon expected agreement among joint venture partners and associated exploration, development and marketing plans and anticipated costs and sales prices, which are subject to change based on, among other things, the actual results of drilling and related activity, availability of drilling, offshore storage and offloading facilities and other specialised oilfield equipment and service providers, changes in partners’ plans and unexpected delays and changes in market conditions. Although the Company believes the expectations and assumptions reflected in such forward-looking information are reasonable, they may prove to be incorrect.

    Forward-looking information involves significant known and unknown risks and uncertainties. Exploration, appraisal, and development of oil and natural gas reserves and resources are speculative activities and involve a degree of risk. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated by the Company including, but not limited to: the ability of management to execute its business plan or realise anticipated benefits from acquisitions; the risk of disruptions from public health emergencies and/or pandemics; competition for specialised equipment and human resources; the Company’s ability to manage growth; the Company’s ability to manage the costs related to inflation; disruption in supply chains; the risk of currency fluctuations; changes in interest rates, oil and gas prices and netbacks; the risk that the Company’s tax advisors’ and/or auditors’ assessment of the Company’s cumulative tax losses varies significantly from management’s expectations of the same; potential changes in joint venture partner strategies and participation in work programmes; uncertainty regarding the contemplated timelines and costs for work programme execution; the risks of disruption to operations and access to worksites; potential changes in laws and regulations, including international treaties and trade policies; the uncertainty regarding government and other approvals; counterparty risk; the risk that financing may not be available; risks associated with weather delays and natural disasters; and the risk associated with international activity. See the most recent annual information form and management’s discussion and analysis of the Company for a detailed discussion of the risk factors.

    Certain forward-looking information in this news release may also constitute “financial outlook” within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. Financial outlook involves statements about Valeura’s prospective financial performance or position and is based on and subject to the assumptions and risk factors described above in respect of forward-looking information generally as well as any other specific assumptions and risk factors in relation to such financial outlook noted in this news release. Such assumptions are based on management’s assessment of the relevant information currently available, and any financial outlook included in this news release is made as of the date hereof and provided for the purpose of helping readers understand Valeura’s current expectations and plans for the future. Readers are cautioned that reliance on any financial outlook may not be appropriate for other purposes or in other circumstances and that the risk factors described above or other factors may cause actual results to differ materially from any financial outlook.

    The forward-looking information contained in this news release is made as of the date hereof and the Company undertakes no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless required by applicable securities laws. The forward-looking information contained in this news release is expressly qualified by this cautionary statement.

    This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities in any jurisdiction, including where such offer would be unlawful. This news release is not for distribution or release, directly or indirectly, in or into the United States, Ireland, the Republic of South Africa or Japan or any other jurisdiction in which its publication or distribution would be unlawful.

    Neither the Toronto Stock Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Toronto Stock Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.

    This information is provided by Reach, the non-regulatory press release distribution service of RNS, part of the London Stock Exchange. Terms and conditions relating to the use and distribution of this information may apply. For further information, please contact rns@lseg.com or visit www.rns.com.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI China: Foreign Minister Lin hosts welcome luncheon for Polish parliamentary delegation led by Deputy Horbatowski, announces Taiwan to open market to fresh blueberries from Poland

    Source: Republic of Taiwan – Ministry of Foreign Affairs

    Foreign Minister Lin hosts welcome luncheon for Polish parliamentary delegation led by Deputy Horbatowski, announces Taiwan to open market to fresh blueberries from Poland

    • Date：2025-07-01
    • Data Source：Department of European Affairs

    July 1, 2025  

    No. 227  

    On July 1, Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung hosted a luncheon for visiting deputies of the Sejm of the Republic of Poland—Łukasz Horbatowski, Marek Chmielewski, and Iwona Krawczyk—who also serve on the Polish-Taiwanese Parliamentarian Group. The two sides exchanged views on issues such as bilateral relations, economic and trade cooperation, and cultural exchanges.

     

    In his remarks, Minister Lin pointed out that the Polish-Taiwanese Parliamentarian Group was the largest group of its kind in the Sejm. He thanked members of the Polish parliament for their long-term support of Taiwan through concrete actions. Minister Lin said that cooperation between Taiwan and Poland in economics, trade, higher education, judicial matters, technology, and other domains had continued to deepen in recent years. He expressed hope that, building on the existing foundations, the two countries would further work together to strengthen interactions and exchanges. 

     

    Furthermore, Minister Lin announced that Taiwan had recently approved the import of fresh blueberries from Poland. Once final administrative procedures were completed, he said, the people of Taiwan would have the opportunity to enjoy high-quality Polish blueberries, benefiting both Polish farmers and Taiwanese consumers. Minister Lin also noted that Taiwan possessed a world-leading ICT sector while Poland had outstanding professional talent and production capacity, which presented opportunities for bilateral collaboration in artificial intelligence, drones, and advanced chips. Minister Lin said he looked forward to continued collaboration between the two countries to build resilient and democratic non-red supply chains.

     

    Mr. Horbatowski, who was visiting Taiwan for the first time, expressed his appreciation for Minister Lin’s invitation and said that he was impressed with Taiwan’s advanced political and economic development. He added that Poland, as a major exporter of agricultural products, welcomed Taiwan’s decision to approve fresh blueberry imports and added that he looked forward to continued cooperation in the agricultural and high-tech sectors to enhance the welfare of the people of both countries.

     

    Taiwan and Poland share the universal values of freedom and democracy. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will continue to promote cooperation between the two nations in various fields so as to deepen their resilient partnership, create sustainable prosperity and well-being for the people of Taiwan and Poland, and uphold their hard-earned democratic achievements. (E)

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: China to host cultural festival dedicated to Kyrgyz heroic epic “Manas”

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    BEIJING, July 8 (Xinhua) — The International Cultural and Tourism Festival on the Theme of the Kyrgyz Oral Heroic Epic “Manas” will be held from July 13 to 20 in Kizilsu Kirghiz Autonomous Prefecture of northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, the prefectural government said.

    The festival, which will bring together more than 300 guests from China and abroad, will feature eight thematic events, including scientific seminars, a Manas epic storytelling competition, and the signing of agreements in the fields of culture and tourism.

    During the festival, memorandums of cooperation in the field of culture, tourism and physical education will be signed between the cities and regions of Kyrgyzstan and the Kyzylsu-Kyrgyz Autonomous Okrug, covering the joint protection of intangible cultural heritage, holding sports competitions, cross-border tourism and border trade and the joint development of cross-border e-commerce.

    Innovative methods for preserving the epic will be an important part of the events. Experts from the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, the Chinese Academy of Sciences and other organizations will discuss issues related to preserving the epic using digital technology. In addition, the festival will launch a new research institution aimed at digitizing, protecting and preserving Manas. The founders of this institution are Xinjiang Normal University and the authorities of the Kyzylsu Kyrgyz Autonomous Region.

    The heroic epic “Manas” is a cycle of tales related to the life and exploits of the main character – the legendary hero Manas, the unifier of the Kyrgyz tribes. It occupies an important place in the oral folklore of the Kyrgyz. This epic poem is known as one of the three heroic epics of the national minorities of China, along with the heroic epics “King Gesar” of the Tibetan ethnic group and “Dzhangar” of the Mongolian ethnic group.

    Let us recall that on May 1 of this year, a new legislative act on the preservation of the Manas epic came into force in the XUAR. -0-

    Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    .

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI: SUSE Launches European Digital Sovereignty Offering

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    LUXEMBOURG, July 08, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — SUSEⓇ, a global leader in enterprise open source solutions, today announced SUSE Sovereign Premium Support, its most comprehensive sovereign support service for customers and partners looking for a support offering that is sovereign in the European Union. It is a cross-portfolio offering designed for enterprises that require a sovereign, personalized and proactive approach to supporting their SUSE environments.

    According to IDC, more than 80% of organizations in Europe are either currently using sovereign cloud solutions or plan to use them in 20251. SUSE Sovereign Premium Support represents a new, important pillar of SUSE’s offerings following growing demand from customers and partners who need to navigate new regulations, mitigate geopolitical risks and build truly resilient IT infrastructure.

    “Our expertise in the field, coupled with our deep European roots and global capabilities, uniquely positions us to deliver the level of control and resilience our customers need over their data, operations and technology. Our new SUSE Sovereign Premium Support reinforces our commitment to empower customers and partners who choose true digital independence and operational resilience with a future-proof IT infrastructure,” says Dirk-Peter van Leeuwen, CEO of SUSE. “While this is a net new offering for us, it is a natural extension of our open by design, sovereign by choice philosophy developed over three decades and more. ”

    SUSE Sovereign Premium Support:

    • Helps SUSE’s customers address their regulatory requirements and digital sovereignty needs.
    • Provides named EU-based Premium Support Engineers (PSE) and Service Delivery Managers (SDM) and customer support data is stored on EU-located networks and servers.
    • Gives enhanced data privacy and controlled access via EU-based PSEs and SDMs and contains SUSE’s commitment to encryption of data required for troubleshooting.

    SUSE has a wide range of customers needing to meet strict regulatory and compliance requirements including defense, governmental and law enforcement organizations across multiple continents. SUSE’s commitment and tailored support has long helped customers to achieve this goal.

    “SUSE has been an invaluable partner on digital sovereignty solutions for our customers for years,” said Udo Wuertz, CDO and Fellow Fsas Technologies Europe. “Their open by design, sovereign by choice philosophy, combined with their deep understanding of regional needs and now with enhanced EU-based support, allows us to offer our joint customers solutions that fit their growing needs.”

    “We have seen rising interest in digital sovereignty solutions, such as sovereign cloud, for several years now. This interest is not just confined to regulated industries but across all sectors and also globally, especially as many organisations are still at the start of their cloud journeys and considering what they will need from the outset. 2025 looks set to be a watershed year as the growing geopolitical and economic uncertainties so far seen are shining a brighter spotlight on the need for digital sovereignty.” – Rahiel Nasir, Research Director, European Cloud Strategies, and Lead Analyst for Worldwide Digital Sovereignty, IDC.

    Register your interest today and we look forward to speaking with you about SUSE Sovereign Premium Support. For more information on SUSE’s digital sovereignty initiatives, please read this blog or visit here.

    About SUSE
    SUSE is a global leader in innovative, reliable and secure enterprise open source solutions, including SUSEⓇ Linux Suite, SUSEⓇ Rancher Suite, SUSEⓇ Edge Suite and SUSEⓇ AI Suite. More than 60% of the Fortune 500 rely on SUSE to power their mission-critical workloads, enabling them to innovate everywhere – from the data center to the cloud, to the edge and beyond. SUSE puts the “open” back in open source, collaborating with partners and communities to give customers the agility to tackle innovation challenges today and the freedom to evolve their strategy and solutions tomorrow. For more information, visit www.suse.com.

    1(Source: IDC’s EMEA Cloud Survey, September 2024.)

    Media Contact
    Sara Matheson
    sara.matheson@suse.com
    +44 7960 191229

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: President Ramaphosa responds to United States (US) tariffs announcement

    Source: APO


    .

    President Cyril Ramaphosa has noted the correspondence from President Donald Trump on the unilateral imposition of a 30% trade tariff against South Africa. The President has further noted that South Africa is one of a number of countries to have received this communication on 7 July 2025. 

    This 30% tariff is based on a particular interpretation of the balance of trade between South Africa and the United States. This contested interpretation forms part of the issues under consideration by the negotiating teams from South Africa and the United States. Accordingly, South Africa maintains that the 30% reciprocal tariff is not an accurate representation of available trade data. In our interpretation of the available trade data,  the average tariff imported goods entering South Africa stands at 7.6%. Importantly, 56% of goods enter South Africa at 0% most favoured nation tariff, with 77% of US goods entering the South African market under the 0% duty.

    South Africa will continue with its diplomatic efforts towards a more balanced and mutually beneficial trade relationship with the United States. We welcome the commitment by the US government, that the 30% tariff is subject to modification at the back of the conclusion of our negotiations with the United States. 

    South Africa has continued to engage the United States, most recently at a meeting held on the side-lines of the US-Africa Summit on 23 June 2025 in Luanda. It was at this meeting where South Africa learned of  a template with which the US wishes to engage sub-Saharan Africa on matters of trade. The South African negotiating team still awaits this template, however, President Ramaphosa has instructed the team urgently engage with the US on the basis of the Framework Deal that South Africa submitted to the US on 20 May 2025. This Framework deal addresses the issues initially raised by the US, including South Africa’s supposed trade surplus, unfair trade practices and lack of reciprocity from the US.

    The President urges government trade negotiations teams and South African companies to accelerate their diversification efforts in order to promote better resilience in both global supply chains and the South African economy.

    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Presidency of the Republic of South Africa.

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Parliamentary Leaders Hail Sierra Leone’s President Julius Maada Bio’s Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Chairmanship in Historic Show of Unity

    Source: APO


    .

    The parliamentary leadership of Sierra Leone’s two main political parties, the ruling Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) and the opposition All People’s Congress (APC), paid a joint courtesy call on His Excellency President Dr Julius Maada Bio at State House to formally congratulate him on his recent election as Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government.

    The visitors were introduced by Chief Minister Dr David Moinina Sengeh, who explained that the Members of Parliament had come to express their appreciation for the President’s efforts in elevating Sierra Leone’s image on the international stage through his new leadership role in the sub-regional body.

    Hon. Matthew Sahr Nyuma, Majority Leader and Leader of Government Business in Parliament, thanked President Bio for granting the audience. He disclosed that the joint visit followed internal consultations between SLPP and APC parliamentary leadership, who unanimously agreed to formally congratulate the President on his election.

    Hon. Nyuma underscored the collaborative relationship between the Executive and the Legislature and appealed for more regular engagements with the President, not only on constitutional grounds, but also in recognition of the strong working relationship that currently exists between Parliament and the Executive.

    Speaking on behalf of the opposition APC, Hon. Abdul Kargbo congratulated President Bio for the international recognition and praised him for entrusting leadership roles to young people. “We are proud as a nation of your achievement. As Members of Parliament, we recognise our roles, but we remain open and committed to the development of Sierra Leone,” he said.

    He noted that all government bills that have been tabled in Parliament and were in the national interest have been passed expeditiously. He attributed this to teamwork, political maturity, and shared patriotism, which have contributed to a relatively calm and productive parliamentary environment.

    In his response, President Julius Maada Bio thanked the SLPP and APC parliamentary leadership for their gesture, describing it as a demonstration of patriotism, unity, and national solidarity. “Your coming together, across party lines, to congratulate me on my ECOWAS leadership shows maturity and a common commitment to Sierra Leone,” he remarked.

    President Bio reiterated that his successes were not personal achievements but national victories. “What we’ve accomplished is not about me, it is about Sierra Leone. These milestones reflect the work we are all doing together,” he said.

    He expressed appreciation for the oversight role played by the opposition, acknowledging that constructive criticism helps sharpen governance and reinforces the democratic process. “Your critical voice in Parliament keeps us accountable, especially on national development, peace, and cohesion.”

    President Bio encouraged Members of Parliament to continue leveraging their collective strength to advance national development. “We are smart people. With diverse views from different political parties, we can take bold, effective decisions to keep development at the center of our national agenda.”

    He called for a readjustment of political ideologies towards cooperation and mutual respect, citing the importance of reducing political tension and promoting development-focused dialogue. The President proposed a national dialogue to define a long-term development agenda that every future administration would prioritize for the country’s benefit.

    President Bio concluded by expressing gratitude for the visit and the congratulatory message from the Parliament.

    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of State House Sierra Leone.

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Foreign Minister Lin hosts welcome luncheon for Polish parliamentary delegation led by Deputy Horbatowski, announces Taiwan to open market to fresh blueberries from Poland

    Source: Republic of China Taiwan

    Foreign Minister Lin hosts welcome luncheon for Polish parliamentary delegation led by Deputy Horbatowski, announces Taiwan to open market to fresh blueberries from Poland

    Date：2025-07-01
    Data Source：Department of European Affairs

    July 1, 2025  
    No. 227  

    On July 1, Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung hosted a luncheon for visiting deputies of the Sejm of the Republic of Poland—Łukasz Horbatowski, Marek Chmielewski, and Iwona Krawczyk—who also serve on the Polish-Taiwanese Parliamentarian Group. The two sides exchanged views on issues such as bilateral relations, economic and trade cooperation, and cultural exchanges.
     
    In his remarks, Minister Lin pointed out that the Polish-Taiwanese Parliamentarian Group was the largest group of its kind in the Sejm. He thanked members of the Polish parliament for their long-term support of Taiwan through concrete actions. Minister Lin said that cooperation between Taiwan and Poland in economics, trade, higher education, judicial matters, technology, and other domains had continued to deepen in recent years. He expressed hope that, building on the existing foundations, the two countries would further work together to strengthen interactions and exchanges. 
     
    Furthermore, Minister Lin announced that Taiwan had recently approved the import of fresh blueberries from Poland. Once final administrative procedures were completed, he said, the people of Taiwan would have the opportunity to enjoy high-quality Polish blueberries, benefiting both Polish farmers and Taiwanese consumers. Minister Lin also noted that Taiwan possessed a world-leading ICT sector while Poland had outstanding professional talent and production capacity, which presented opportunities for bilateral collaboration in artificial intelligence, drones, and advanced chips. Minister Lin said he looked forward to continued collaboration between the two countries to build resilient and democratic non-red supply chains.
     
    Mr. Horbatowski, who was visiting Taiwan for the first time, expressed his appreciation for Minister Lin’s invitation and said that he was impressed with Taiwan’s advanced political and economic development. He added that Poland, as a major exporter of agricultural products, welcomed Taiwan’s decision to approve fresh blueberry imports and added that he looked forward to continued cooperation in the agricultural and high-tech sectors to enhance the welfare of the people of both countries.
     
    Taiwan and Poland share the universal values of freedom and democracy. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will continue to promote cooperation between the two nations in various fields so as to deepen their resilient partnership, create sustainable prosperity and well-being for the people of Taiwan and Poland, and uphold their hard-earned democratic achievements. (E)

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • US restores $6.8 million aid for Tibetans, State Department says

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The United States has restored $6.8 million in funding for Tibetans in South Asia, the U.S. State Department told Reuters on Tuesday, confirming comments by Tibet’s government-in-exile.

    The aid had been cut by President Donald Trump’s administration as part of its “America First” policy that hit a number of programmes, including those aimed at securing food and preventing the spread of HIV in some of the world’s poorest regions.

    Last week, the leader of the Tibetan government in-exile in India, Penpa Tsering said Tibetans became “collateral damage” in U.S. foreign aid cuts, and the funding had since been restored. He was speaking on the sidelines of the 90th birthday celebration of Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama.

    “The (State) Department re-instated $6.8 million in aid for Tibetans in South Asia,” a spokesperson said in response to a query from Reuters by e-mail, without saying when the funding was restored.

    The U.S. has called on China to cease what it describes as interference in the succession of the 14th Dalai Lama, who fled from Tibet in 1959 in the wake of a failed uprising against Chinese rule and took shelter in India. China has said that the succession will have to be approved by its leaders.

    “The United States has had a decades-long, bipartisan commitment to support and help advance the dignity and human rights of Tibetans, as well as help Tibetans preserve their distinct religious, cultural, and linguistic identity,” the State Department spokesperson added.

    (Reuters)

     

  • US restores $6.8 million aid for Tibetans, State Department says

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The United States has restored $6.8 million in funding for Tibetans in South Asia, the U.S. State Department told Reuters on Tuesday, confirming comments by Tibet’s government-in-exile.

    The aid had been cut by President Donald Trump’s administration as part of its “America First” policy that hit a number of programmes, including those aimed at securing food and preventing the spread of HIV in some of the world’s poorest regions.

    Last week, the leader of the Tibetan government in-exile in India, Penpa Tsering said Tibetans became “collateral damage” in U.S. foreign aid cuts, and the funding had since been restored. He was speaking on the sidelines of the 90th birthday celebration of Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama.

    “The (State) Department re-instated $6.8 million in aid for Tibetans in South Asia,” a spokesperson said in response to a query from Reuters by e-mail, without saying when the funding was restored.

    The U.S. has called on China to cease what it describes as interference in the succession of the 14th Dalai Lama, who fled from Tibet in 1959 in the wake of a failed uprising against Chinese rule and took shelter in India. China has said that the succession will have to be approved by its leaders.

    “The United States has had a decades-long, bipartisan commitment to support and help advance the dignity and human rights of Tibetans, as well as help Tibetans preserve their distinct religious, cultural, and linguistic identity,” the State Department spokesperson added.

    (Reuters)

     

  • Proceeding with the Constitutional mechanism of dealing with the judge is not the solution; what is the source of the money? It belonged to whom?-VP

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (2)

    lign=”center”>I am all for independence of Judiciary; we must have courage to confront uncomfortable truths within our own institutions-VP
    Pick and choose for post-retirement posts for judges seriously impairing our Judiciary- VP
    The President and the Governor are the only two constitutional offices who take oath to preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution-VP
    Preamble of our Constitution was changed during a time when hundreds and thousands of people were behind the bars-VP

    The Vice-President, Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar, today said that, “Proceeding with the Constitutional mechanism of dealing with the judge in terms of constitutional provision is one way out, but that is not a solution because we claim to be a democracy which we are.  The world looks at us as a mature democracy where there has to be rule of law,  equality before law which means every crime must be investigated.  If the money is so huge in volume, we have to find out. Is it tainted money?  What is the source of this money?  How was it stocked in the  official residence of a judge?  It belonged to whom? Several penal provisions are violated in the process. I do hope  an FIR will be registered. We must go to the root of the matter because for democracy it matters,  that our judiciary  in whom the faith  is unshakable, it’s very foundations have been shaken. The citadel is tottering because of this incident.

    https://twitter.com/VPIndia/status/1942136665524605278

    Interacting with the students and faculty members at the National University of Advance Legal Studies (NUALS) today, Referring to Shakespeare’s famous play “Julius Caesar”, Shri Dhankhar stated, “ My young friends, if you have heard of the Ides of March. Those of you who have read Julius Caesar. where the soothsayer cautioned Caesar, beware of the ideas of March. And when Caesar was going from the palace to the courtroom he spotted the soothsayer and he said- Ides of March has come. And  the soothsayer said, yes,  but not gone, and before the day was over, Caesar was assassinated. Ides of March is associated with misfortune and doom. Our judiciary had ides of March  on the night intervening 14th and 15th March,  a terrible time ! There was cash all  at the residence of a Judge in large quantum.  I say so because it is now in public domain,  officially put up by the Supreme Court that the official residence  of  a judge of the High Court,  cash in large amount was found.  Now the point is,  if that cash was found, system should have moved immediately  and the first process would have been to deal with it  as a criminal act.  Find out those who are culpable.  Bring them to justice. But so far, there has been no FIR. The government at the central level is handicapped because an FIR cannot be registered in view of a judgment of the Supreme Court rendered in early 90s.”

    https://twitter.com/VPIndia/status/1942138345347576273

    Exhorting the students to have courage to confront problems, he underlined, “ We must have courage to confront problems. We must not rationalise failures. We must always remember we belong to a nation that has to define global narrative. We have to be architects of a world that lives in peace and harmony. We must have first courage to confront uncomfortable truths within our own institutions.….. I’m all for independence of Judiciary.  I’m a strong votary of protecting judges.  Judges deal with very difficult situations.  They decide  cases  against  the executive.They deal in certain areas where legislature matters. We must  protect our Judges  from frivolous litigation. So I’m not against the mechanism  evolved, but when something like this happens. Some things are worrisome !”

     

    “We had turbulent times in the judiciary recently. But the good thing — and soothing — is that a big change has taken place. We are seeing good times now for the judiciary. The present Chief Justice and his immediate predecessor gave us a new era of accountability and transparency. They are getting things back on the rails. But the earlier two years were very disturbing, very challenging. The normal system was not normal. Thoughtlessly, several steps were taken — it will take a while to undo them. Because it is very fundamental that institutions function with optimal performance”, he added

    https://twitter.com/VPIndia/status/1942125487129858376

    “The judiciary in our country commands immense trust, immense respect of the people. People believe in the judiciary like no other institution. If their faith is eroded — shaken in the institution — we will be faced with a grim situation. A nation of 1.4 billion will suffer”, he further added.

    https://twitter.com/VPIndia/status/1942117656808849675

    Expressing his concern over post retirement assignments for judges, he emphasised, “Certain constitutional authorities are not permitted to hold  assignments after their office like a Public Service Commission member cannot take any assignment under the government. CAG can’t take that assignment.  Chief Election Commissioner and Election Commissioners can’t take that assignment because they must be free, not to be subjected to allurements and temptations. This was not for judges.  Why?  Because  judges were expected to be totally away from it.  And now we are post-retirement, post for judges.  Am I right? And not all can be accommodated, only some can be accommodated.  So when you can’t accommodate all, you accommodate some, there is pick and choose. When there is pick and choose, there is patronage. It is seriously impairing our judiciary.”

    Underscoring the significance of the nature of oath taken by the President of India and Governors, Shri Dhankhar stated, “ The President and the Governor are the only two constitutional offices who have an oath different than the Vice-President, the Prime Minister, the Chief Minister, Members of Parliament, Members of Assembly, and other functionaries like judges. Because all of us — the Vice-President, the Prime Minister, and others — we take oath to abide by the Constitution, but the Hon’ble President and the Hon’ble Governor — they take oath to preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution. Am I clear? So, their oath is not only very distinct, their oath is obligating them with the onerous task of preserving, protecting, and defending the Constitution. I hope there is realization all around about this constitutional ordainment for the post of the Governor…..Second, what stands out the President or the Governor, apart from the rest of us, like the Vice-President, Prime Minister and Chief Ministers and Ministers, is only these two designations have immunity from prosecution. No one else has. While they hold office, they are immune to any prosecution, pending or contemplated. And I am so happy and delighted that Shri Rajendra V. Arlekar is setting very high standards as Governor because a Governor is easy punching bag”.

    https://twitter.com/VPIndia/status/1942117359915094169

    Speaking about the amendments to the preamble of Indian Constitution he stated, “There has been lot of issue about preamble to the Constitution. Well first let me tell you, preamble of Indian constitution is something like parenthood to children. Howsoever you may try,  you can’t change your parenthood. Am I right?  That’s not possible. That is preamble. Secondly, historically no country’s preamble has ever been changed. Thirdly, preamble of our Constitution was changed during a time when hundreds and thousands of people were behind the bars. The darkest period of our democracy, the emergency era.  Then it was changed where the life of the Lok Sabha was also increased beyond 5 years.  It was changed at a time when people had no access to the justice system. Fundamental rights were totally suspended. You need to examine it. We may do anything,  we surely can’t change our parents.”

     

    “You will have to think aloud what happened in 42nd Constitutional Amendment  Act. What happened in 44th and what was left over? Why lakhs were jailed without access to judiciary?  How come 9 High Courts decided in favour of the citizen but  the Supreme Court, the highest court of the land failed us in  ADM’s Jabalpur case. And reversed,  indicating two things—-It is absolute prerogative of the executive to impose emergency  and to impose emergency for as much time it takes. In 1975, it was 20 plus months, and during the proclamation of emergency period,  there will be no access to Judiciary.  So we forfeited at that point of time our total claim  to be a democratic nation”, he added.

    Underscoring the significance of doctrine of separation of powers, he said, “ Constitutional essence and spirit is optimally nurtured and sustained  and it blossoms with each of the pillars of constitution working in tandem to get the nation in harmony but if the legislature, the executive and judiciary are not on the same page,  if they are not in sync with each other, If there is no harmony amongst them,  then the situation gets little worrisome. And that is why as law students you will be  focusing on doctrine of separation of powers.  The issue is not which is supreme.  Each institution of the Constitution is supreme in its own area”

    https://twitter.com/VPIndia/status/1942121770250842146

    https://twitter.com/VPIndia/status/1942126293320900910

    “If one institution — the judiciary, the executive, or the legislature — makes an incursion into the domain of the other, it has the potential to upset the apple cart. It can create unmanageable problems that can be potentially very dangerous for our democracy. For example, let me give it to you in layman’s language: Adjudication has to take place within the judiciary. Judgments are to be scripted by the judiciary — not by the legislature, not by the executive. And similarly, executive functions are performed by whom? By the executive. And why? Because you elect the executive — the political executive — through elections. They are accountable to you. They have to perform. They have to face elections. But if executive functions are done by, let’s say, the legislature or the judiciary — that will be antithetical to the  essence and of the doctrine of separation of powers……I am aghast  that a functionary of the executive like the CBI director  is appointed  with the participation of Chief Justice of India.  Why?  And just think,  and steer your minds.  CBI director is not the senior most person in the hierarchy. He  has above him several layers,  CVC,  Cabinet Secretary, all Secretaries.  After all, he’s heading a department.  You must  use your pen.  Is it happening elsewhere in the world?  Can it happen under our constitutional scheme?  Why should an appointment of the executive be made by anyone else other than the executive.  I strongly say so.”, he added.

  • Wartime innovation boosts Israeli defence tech growth, drawing global interest

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Israeli army reservist Zach Bergerson felt he had to take action when he saw fellow soldiers having to rely on their eyes and ears to detect swarms of enemy drones overhead.

    So the high-tech professional, 36, developed a wearable device that uses mobile phone technology to warn troops of aerial threats. Like other reservists, Bergerson has leveraged his civilian expertise and military experience to bolster Israel’s defence industry.

    Known as SkyHoop, his startup has since emerged from stealth mode – a period when startups typically work in secrecy – to be piloted in Ukraine with discussions under way for a trial by the U.S. Defense Department.

    While U.S. President Donald Trump brokers a Gaza ceasefire, Israeli startups like Bergerson’s are drawing investment from U.S. and Israeli venture capital firms and looking to build on a growing European market for Israeli defence exports.

    More than a third of all defence tech startups registered with the country’s Startup Nation Central, an organization that tracks Israeli innovation, were created since a deadly Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, launched the war in Gaza.

    In June, while Israel attacked Iranian nuclear and ballistic missile targets, their 12-day air war highlighted the efficacy of Israel’s aerial defences. Israel successfully intercepted 86% of Iran’s ballistic missile launches, the Defence Ministry said.

    The changing nature of war has led to shifts in defence procurement worldwide. Western armies demand new battle-tested technology, refined by soldiers in combat. Some 20% of Israeli reservists work in the robust high-tech sector.

    Israeli defence startups have drawn investment from major American venture capital firms that previously avoided the sector as it was considered riskier and mired in regulation. Israeli VC firms have emerged as well to invest in defence.

    Lital Leshem, an Israeli reservist, in December co-founded Protego Ventures, a fund that has studied some 160 defence companies and raised around $100 million. She expects the fund will invest in around four companies by year’s end.

    “Reservists are coming out of the battlefield and are actually putting together new companies to solve real problems that they have experienced in real time on the battlefield,” Leshem told Reuters.

    These companies will face major challenges scaling up to the global market and overcoming regulatory hurdles, Leshem said, but she predicts that, like Israel’s cyber industry, it is a field in which Israeli entrepreneurs can thrive.

    These startups formerly viewed the U.S. as the “holy grail” for their target market, Leshem said, but that is also changing.

    EYES ON EUROPE

    Israeli startups are hoping to benefit from Trump’s demand that European countries take over from the U.S. more of the burden of defending their continent.

    Under a new NATO defence spending plan, countries will spend 5% of GDP – up from 2% – on defence. The figure includes 3.5% of GDP on “core defence” such as weapons and troops and 1.5% on security-related investments.

    Such an increase – to be phased in over 10 years – will mean hundreds of billions of dollars more spending on defence.

    Israel’s defence exports hit a record $14.8 billion in 2024, according to Defence Ministry figures released last month, while exports to Europe comprised more than 50% of these sales, up from 35% in 2023.

    Despite calls from some countries to boycott Israeli weapons, “when one side is purchasing, in the end, they want to buy the best product possible,” said Reserve Brigadier General Yair Kulas, head of the Defence Ministry International Defence Cooperation Directorate.

    Largely as a result of the Russia-Ukraine war, Kulas said, European states are upgrading their militaries, sending older equipment to Ukraine and replacing it with new products, many of them from Israel. Kulas said the story of Israeli weapons exports is also part of a larger global trend.

    The political backlash is worrisome, Kulas said, because on the one hand Israel’s innovation is groundbreaking and world-class but there has been a “delegitimization of Israel”.

    More than 57,000 Palestinians have been killed, most of them civilians, local health officials have said, in the 21 months since Israel launched its assault on Gaza, displacing the population and leaving the territory in ruins.

    “I don’t know how it will impact the results in 2025,” Kulas told Reuters. He said it is “certainly a huge challenge.”

    Avi Hasson from Startup Nation Central said the surge of new defence startups created by reservists is reminiscent of a technological revolution 20 years ago that would later evolve into smartphones.

    Startups may prompt larger Israeli defence companies such as ElbitESLT.TA, Rafael and Israel Aerospace Industries to either try to acquire more Israeli startups and help bring them up to scale or develop their own technology at a faster pace.

    “We are now in a different world,” Hasson told Reuters.

    (Reuters)

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Ombudsman briefs Legislative Council Members on work results in 2024-25

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    The following is issued on behalf of the Office of The Ombudsman:

    The Ombudsman, Mr Jack Chan, today (July 8) attended an annual meeting with the Legislative Council (LegCo) and briefed members on the progress and results of the Office of The Ombudsman’s work in 2024-25. Looking forward, the Office will drive positive change in public administration, especially by streamlining workflow and enhancing efficiency to bring about further improvement in public administration. Mr Chan also exchanged constructive views with LegCo Members on matters of mutual concern.

    At the meeting, Mr Chan mentioned that in response to the motherland’s expectations of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), the Office will stay bold in reform, dare to break new ground, and innovate continuously. In the reporting year, the Office championed three strategic focuses and achieved satisfactory results in various areas. Mr Chan said, “On the front of mediation, the Office achieved unprecedented results during the reporting year, concluding an all-time high of 555 cases involving no or only minor maladministration.” Based on the motto of “responding to people’s needs”, the Office helped the complainants out of their predicament speedily and amicably through mediation, while the departments could also review internal procedures and make improvements, thereby enhancing the standards of public administration. The results were encouraging as the Office’s mediation work was highly commended by both complainants and departments.

    Interdepartmental collaboration is another strategic focus of the Office. At the meeting, Mr Chan elaborated that after analysing the interdepartmental collaboration cases handled over the past, positive impact was observed in four major areas: clarifying the demarcation of responsibilities, grasping the crux of the matter, facilitating direct communication and experience sharing among departments, and launching joint operations. The Office has introduced a new series featuring stories of good people and good deeds on social media and its website, showcasing mediation and interdepartmental collaboration closely related to people’s livelihood and highlighting the results brought about by complaint handling.

    During the reporting year, the Office spared no effort in advocating a positive complaint culture through exchange meetings, publicity campaigns, education initiatives and commendation schemes. Not only are the public encouraged to participate in social issues and voice their opinions in a constructive manner, but departments and organisations are also urged to serve the public with open-mindedness. Mr Chan firmly believes that fostering constructive suggestions and positive feedback is conducive to the promotion of good governance.

    Mr Chan highlighted at the meeting several direct investigation (DI) operations widely concerned by the Government, professions and the community, including regulation of occupational safety and health in construction industry, combating abuse of public housing resources, and the arrangements for recovery, refurbishment and reallocation of public housing rental flats. A poignant DI operation was conducted into the provision of public services relating to after-death arrangements. During the reporting year, the Office made 148 recommendations to government departments or public organisations in DI operation reports. Together with the 106 recommendations made in full investigation reports, the total number of 254 recommendations soared by 37 per cent over that in 2023-24 and hit a record high in the recent five years.

    The Office completed a reorganisation in July, under which it has streamlined the directorate establishment from a three-tier to a two-tier directorate structure by freezing the vacancy of Deputy Ombudsman. Instead, three Assistant Ombudsmen, all reporting directly to the Ombudsman, are appointed to head three major divisions, namely the Complaints Investigation Division, the Direct Investigation Division, and the Complaints Assessment and Support Division. The Office has deployed resources more flexibly to increase the number of Direct Investigation Teams from two to three, augment the staffing for complaints assessment, and streamline the complement of Complaints Investigation Teams and administrative and support staff. Mr Chan said, “The Office will adhere to the strategy of training and internal promotion to cultivate a contingent of experienced and competent investigation officers and support staff that are dedicated to our country and Hong Kong.”

    Separately, Mr Chan reported the Office’s international liaison work, including hosting the International Ombudsman Summit 2024 and The Ombudsman’s 35th Anniversary Reception Ceremony in December last year. The event was supported and commended by the Central Government, the HKSAR Government and international counterparts, and widely reported by the media. Around 140 Mainland and overseas participants from about 40 countries and regions across six continents attended the Summit. The Office also signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Bilateral Cooperation with representatives from eight countries and regions across five continents, demonstrating Hong Kong’s important role as a “super connector”.

    The Office actively participated in international affairs. In addition to being the Secretary of the Asian Ombudsman Association, Mr Chan was appointed earlier this year as the Chairman of the Standing By-laws Committee and a member of the United Nations and International Cooperation Working Group  under the International Ombudsman Institute (IOI) respectively. In May, he was appointed to the Board of Directors of the Australasian and Pacific Region of the IOI. Mr Chan pledged to continue playing an active role on international co-operation platforms, presenting to global audiences a good story about Hong Kong from stability to prosperity under “one country, two systems”, and leveraging the unique position of having strong support from the motherland and close connections to the world. Furthermore, the Office will maintain a close relationship with its Mainland counterparts.

    Looking forward, the Office will perform the gatekeeping function under The Ombudsman Ordinance to focus resources on those complaints that require assistance. It will press ahead with promoting mediation to redress public grievances, step up DI operations and make pragmatic and effective recommendations and observations, especially on streamlining workflow and enhancing efficiency to bring about improvement in public administration. Mr Chan also remarked that the preparations for establishing the Hong Kong International Ombudsman Academy are in full swing. The Academy’s first exchange session on mediation is scheduled for August 25, 2025. In line with Mr Chan’s firm belief in “prevention is better than cure”, the Academy will endeavour to instil the concept of “maladministration prevention” in public officers to enhance their vigilance and take precautions against maladministration. This also marks a new milestone of the Office in driving positive change in public administration.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: GPA appoints Carly Ersser as Workplace Services Director

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    GPA appoints Carly Ersser as Workplace Services Director

    The Government Property Agency (GPA) has confirmed the appointment of Carly Ersser as its Workplace Services Director.

    The Government Property Agency (GPA) has confirmed the appointment of Carly Ersser as its Workplace Services Director, solidifying her crucial role in shaping the future of Civil Service workplaces.

    Carly joined the agency as interim director in November last year, following 12 years at HM Treasury leading change programmes, workplace experience and multi-site facilities.

    She will play a pivotal role at the GPA in transforming how the Civil Service operates by leading a team managing modern, efficient, and sustainable office environments across His Majesty’s Government. Carly will continue to lead initiatives that contribute significantly to halving carbon emissions from government offices and achieving net zero goals, reflecting a strong commitment to environmental standards within the public sector property portfolio.

    Mark Bourgeois, the GPA’s CEO, said:

    I am delighted to welcome Carly as a permanent member of the GPA team. She brings great insight from a GPA client perspective and has shown real passion in championing excellence in service delivery with a transformation mindset. Her appointment is an important milestone in the continued stabilisation and improvement at the GPA, as we work with departmental partners to support delivery of the government missions.

    The Director of Workplace Services focus is on creating great places to work for civil servants across the UK, ensuring excellence in workplace experience. Carly’s confirmed leadership carries significant responsibility for the performance, security, and safety of the GPA’s operational estates functions, underpinning the agency’s reputation for managing a secure and effective government office portfolio.

    She said:

    I’m proud to be appointed as Workplace Services Director, and am pleased to officially continue driving forward our commitment to delivering exceptional services across the government office estate. I look forward to building on the partnerships with our clients and customers to meet evolving needs, and to strengthening our collaboration with our strategic partners and suppliers to ensure we continue to provide great places to work for civil servants.

    For media enquiries, email: pressoffice@gpa.gov.uk

    Updates to this page

    Published 8 July 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: The South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) General Court Martial in Western Bahr el Ghazal concludes

    Source: APO


    .

    A General Court Martial, supported by the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces, concluded in Wau, Western Bahr el Ghazal, on 5 July. It was preceded by two investigation missions to Wau and Jur River counties where 34 pending cases were reviewed.

    Subsequently, the military court adjudicated 20 criminal cases, convicting nine members of the SSPDF, stripping them of their ranks and dismissing them from military service.

    Notably, the General Court Martial delivered verdicts on two cases related to sexual and gender-based violence, resulting in convictions of seven and 10 years, respectively. Additionally, a conflict related sexual violence case involving multiple assailants and an underage victim was adjudicated, a first of its kind for such military court martials in South Sudan.

    The highest-ranking member of the SSPDF convicted was a Lieutenant Colonel, for the loss of a weapon. Two civilians in detention were released from military custody since they do not fall within the jurisdiction of a military court, while another civilian on trial for killing two SSPDF soldiers was sentenced to two years imprisonment and ordered to pay 62 heads of cattle or a monetary equivalent as blood compensation to the victims’ families. 

    The Court also heard six  cases involving conflict related crimes committed during clashes in February 2025 in Kwajiena village, Jur River county. A lack of identification of assailants by victims, despite strong testimonies, did not lead to prosecutorial action in this regard. However, the hearing resulted in a directive to the state government to award financial compensation to all victims in accordance with South Sudan’s civil procedure code.

    The General Court Martial team included two female judge-advocates to ensure that both female and male victims and witnesses were supported during the process. All victims also had access to two civilian victims’ counsel, who provided free legal advice and actively participated in the proceedings to protect victim rights and help them navigate the justice process. 

    This military court was followed by a civil-military dialogue in Wau with a focus on joint efforts to combat sexual violence. The aim was to strengthen trust between uniformed personnel and communities, as well as obtain real time feedback on the impact of such military justice interventions on host populations.

    The Wau General Court Martial was funded by the generous support of the Royal Norwegian Embassy in Juba. In particular, it builds on the work of similar military proceedings that took place in Wau in  2022, which resulted in convictions of eight members of the SSPDF for murder. The convicted soldiers were stripped of their ranks and dismissed from the SSPDF.

    As part of its ongoing efforts to strengthen justice mechanisms and rule of law processes, the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) also provided funding for victims and witnesses to receive psychosocial support before, during, and after trial.

    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Guinea: One year after the enforced disappearance of Front National de Défense de la Constitution (FNDC) activists, abductions increase in a ‘climate of terror’

    Source: APO


    .

    Guinean authorities must urgently reveal the fate and whereabouts of National Front for the Defence of the Constitution (Front national de défense de la Constitution – FNDC) activists Oumar Sylla and Mamadou Billo Bah, who were forcibly disappeared a year ago, and ensure that those suspected to be responsible for the abductions and enforced disappearances in Guinea are brought to justice in fair trial and victims and family members of victims are provided with access to justice and effective remedies, said 25 Guinean and international human rights organizations.

    “We call on the Guinean authorities to break their unbearable silence regarding the fate of the two FNDC activists. There is no indication that they have carried out investigations to find the two activists who have been missing for a year,” the human rights organizations said today.

    Mamadou Billo Bah and Oumar Sylla, known as Foniké Menguè, were arrested on 9 July 2024 at the latter’s home in Conakry by armed men, before allegedly being taken by special forces to the Loos archipelago. They were interrogated and tortured, according to a third member of FNDC who was abducted with the two others and released the day after. The authorities have denied holding them and their fate remains unknown to this day.

    The FNDC, a civil society movement calling for a return to civilian rule, was disbanded in 2022. Oumar Sylla, its national coordinator had called for demonstrations on 11 July 2024 against, among other things, repression of the media and the high cost of living.

    Since the Prosecutor General’s announcement on 17 July 2024 of the opening of ‘thorough and complete’ investigations into several abductions, including those of Oumar Sylla and Mamadou Billo Bah, no information has been made public about their progress.

    Multiplication of cases of abductions and disappearances

    Journalist Habib Marouane Camara, managing director of Le Révélateur news website, was abducted in Lambanyi, a commune of Conakry, on 3 December 2024 by men in uniform, according to witnesses. On 6 December 2024, the Dixinn public prosecutor’s office declared that the ‘arrest was carried out without orders from the constituted authorities and outside the cases provided for by law’, announcing that an investigation was underway. To date, there has been no news of the journalist’s whereabouts.

    “Since these announcements, no information has been made public by the authorities. We call on them to shed full light on the cases of abductions and disappearances in the country by conducting prompt, independent, and transparent investigations into these cases. We also call on the authorities to ratify without reservation the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance,” said the human rights organizations.

    In addition to these cases, there have been abductions followed by acts of torture on individuals known for their critical views. On 19 February 2025, the national coordinator of the Forum of Social Forces of Guinea (Forum des forces sociales de Guinée), Abdoul Sacko, was abducted and found the same day, according to his lawyers ‘in a critical state, tortured and abandoned by his abductors in the bush’.

    Lawyer Mohamed Traoré suffered the same fate in June 2025. The former President of the Guinean Bar Association has testified that he was ‘subjected to abuse’ after being abducted from his home on the night of 20 to 21 June by armed men. The Bar Association reported that he had been found ‘with his back covered in wounds’. On 23 June, the public prosecutor again announced the opening of an ‘in-depth investigation into the facts’.

    ‘A climate of terror’

    Following the abduction of Abdoul Sacko, the Bar Association denounced ‘the climate of terror that is gradually taking hold and […] the total lack of reaction from the judicial authorities’.

    Our organizations spoke to lawyers and political actors who say they have been threatened.

    A leader of an opposition party has been in hiding for several months, after receiving threats by phone and after people in plain clothes went to his home in his absence, making threats. Another politician said that he frequently changed his residence and route after receiving threats.

    A lawyer said: ‘Since I started defending certain people critical of the government, I have received at least four calls confirming that I am on the list of people whose abduction is planned’.

    A human rights defender said he had been alerted after his statements denouncing the abduction of Mohamed Traoré: “I have received two calls from people I know in the judicial system urging me to leave my home because I would be next on the list according to their information. I take this very seriously, I make sure I’m never alone”.

    “We call on the Guinean authorities to respect their international human rights obligations to respect, protect, promote and fulfil the human rights of everyone in the country, as they have undertaken to do before the United Nations Human Rights Council in April 2025 during the Universal Periodic Review, in particular the rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly and the rights of human rights defenders,” said the Guinean and international human rights organizations.

    Signatories

    • Action pour des Personnes Vulnérables (APV)
    • Alliance des Femmes Leaders pour la Parité en Guinée (AFLPAG)
    • Alliances des Médias pour les Droits Humains en Guinée (AMDH)
    • Amnesty International
    • Assistance Justice Aux Droits des Enfants et Femmes (AJDEF)
    • Association des Blogueurs de Guinée (ABLOGUI)
    • Association des Victimes, Parents et Amis des évènements du 28 septembre 2009 (AVIPA)
    • Avocats Sans Frontières Guinée (ASF Guinée)
    • Centre Africain de Formation et d’Information sur les Droits de l’Homme et de l’Environnement (CAFIDHE)
    • Conseil Consultatif des Enfants et Jeunes de Guinée (CCEJG)
    • Coalition des ONG de protection et de promotion des Droits de l’Enfant, Lutte contre la Traite  (COLTE/CDE)
    • Convention Guinéenne des Droits de l’Homme (COGUIDH)
    • Convergence des Jeunes Leaders pour la Paix et la Démocratie (COJELPAID)
    • Coordination des Jeunes Cadres Volontaires pour le Futur (CJCVF)
    • Fédération Guinéenne pour la Promotion des Associations des Personnes Handicapées (FEGUIPAH)
    • Fédération internationale pour les droits humains (FIDH), dans le cadre de l’Observatoire pour la protection des défenseur.es des droits humains
    • Forum Civil Guinéen
    • Jeune Action pour la Santé et le Développement (JASD)
    • Leadership Jeunes pour la Paix et le Développement en Afrique (LEJEPAD)
    • Organisation Guinéenne de Défense des Droits de l’Homme et du citoyen (OGDH)
    • Organisation mondiale contre la torture (OMCT), dans le cadre de l’Observatoire pour la protection des défenseur.es des droits humains
    • Organisation Secours aux Handicapés de Guinée (OSH Guinée)
    • Union pour le Bien-Être des Personnes Atteintes d’Albinisme (UBPAAG)
    • Women of Africa (WAFRICA Guinée)
    • Women Hope Guinée (WHP)

    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Amnesty International.

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Brazil’s President Condemns Foreign Interference in Country’s Internal Affairs

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    RIO DE JANEIRO, July 8 (Xinhua) — Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva on Monday condemned foreign interference in his country’s internal affairs after U.S. President Donald Trump called on Brazilian authorities to stop prosecuting former President Jair Bolsonaro, who is under investigation for attempting a coup.

    “Defending Brazilian democracy is a matter that concerns Brazilians. We are a sovereign country, we do not accept interference or tutelage from anyone. We have strong and independent institutions. No one is above the law, especially those who threaten freedom and the rule of law,” said L.I. Lula da Silva.

    J. Bolsonaro, who served as Brazil’s president from 2019 to 2022, is accused of plotting to retain power through force after losing the 2022 presidential election. –0–

    Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    .

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: UN chief saddened by deaths in Texas floods

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    UNITED NATIONS, July 8 (Xinhua) — United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is saddened by the loss of life in flooding in the U.S. state of Texas, his spokesman Stephane Dujarric said on Monday.

    “The Secretary-General is deeply saddened by the tragic loss of life, particularly of many children, as a result of the recent floods in Texas over the holiday weekend,” Dujarric said in a statement.

    A. Guterres expresses his sincere condolences to the families of the victims and solidarity with all those affected, the people of Texas and the US government, the official representative said.

    The death toll from flooding in central Texas has risen to 87, with dozens still missing, officials said, as search and rescue efforts continue into a fourth day. –0–

    Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    .

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Paul Lam visits the Netherlands

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    Secretary for Justice Paul Lam began his European visit in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, on Sunday by meeting  international organisations, judges from the International Court of Justice (ICJ), government officials and the local business community.

    Upon his arrival, Mr Lam met Hong Kong people and overseas Chinese organisation representatives living in the Netherlands and Luxembourg to learn about their work and life, and shared with them Hong Kong’s latest developments in various areas.

    After arriving at The Hague the next day, he visited the Hague Conference on Private International Law (HCCH) and met Secretary General of the HCCH Christophe Bernasconi.

    Mr Lam thanked the HCCH for its support for the secondment programme of legal professionals of the Department of Justice (DoJ) and exchanged views on further strengthening the co-operation between the DoJ and the HCCH, including hosting an international conference about the Hague Conventions during Hong Kong Legal Week in December.

    During a meeting with Secretary General of the Ministry of Justice & Security of the Netherlands Anneke Van Dijk and officials, Mr Lam introduced the latest developments of Hong Kong and discussed issues such as the development and direction of international legal co-operation.

    Afterwards, he had a lunch meeting with the Ambassador Extraordinary & Plenipotentiary of the People’s Republic of China to the Kingdom of the Netherlands Tan Jian.

    In the afternoon, Mr Lam visited the ICJ of the United Nations and met ICJ President Yuji Iwasawa, to exchange views on the latest developments in international dispute resolution, including the establishment of the International Organization for Mediation with its headquarters in Hong Kong. They also shared views on the training of international legal experts and professionals.

    At the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) Mr Lam discussed the co-operation between the DoJ and the PCA in the fields of capacity building and international law with PCA Secretary-General Marcin Czepelak.

    In the evening, he attended a business seminar and dinner organised by the Netherlands Hong Kong Business Association, and shared with about 100 participants Hong Kong’s distinctive advantage of enjoying the strong support of the motherland while being closely connected to the world under the “one country, two systems” principle.

    The justice chief stressed that Hong Kong’s legal system is credible and reputable, user-friendly, and closely tied with Mainland China and other parts of the world, making Hong Kong’s legal system exceptional among other common law peers.

    Mr Lam will be in Paris for the second leg of his European visit today.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: The US has high hopes for a new Gaza ceasefire, but Israel’s long-term aims seem far less peaceful

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ali Mamouri, Research Fellow, Middle East Studies, Deakin University

    US President Donald Trump has hosted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for dinner at the White House, where he has declared talks to end the war in Gaza are “going along very well”.

    In turn, Netanyahu revealed he has nominated Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize, saying:

    he is forging peace as we speak, in one country, in one region, after the other.

    Despite all the talk of peace, negotiations in Qatar between Israeli and Palestinian delegations have broken up without a breakthrough. The talks are expected to resume later this week.

    If an agreement is reached, it will likely be hailed as a crucial opportunity to end nearly two years of humanitarian crisis in Gaza, following the October 7 attacks in which 1,200 Israelis were killed by Hamas-led militants.

    However, there is growing scepticism about the durability of any truce. A previous ceasefire agreement reached in January led to the release of dozens of Israeli hostages and hundreds of Palestinian prisoners.

    But it collapsed by March, when Israel resumed military operations in Gaza.

    This breakdown in trust on both sides, combined with ongoing Israeli military operations and political instability, suggests the new deal may prove to be another temporary pause rather than a lasting resolution.

    Details of the deal

    The proposed agreement outlines a 60-day ceasefire aimed at de-escalating hostilities in Gaza and creating space for negotiations toward a more lasting resolution.

    Hamas would release ten surviving Israeli hostages and return the remains of 18 others. In exchange, Israel is expected to withdraw its military forces to a designated buffer zone along Gaza’s borders with both Israel and Egypt.

    The agreement being thrashed out in Doha includes the release of Israeli hostages, held in Gaza for the past 22 months.
    Anas-Mohammed/Shutterstock

    While the specific terms of a prisoner exchange remain under negotiation, the release of Palestinian detainees held in Israeli prisons is a central component of the proposal.

    Humanitarian aid is also a key focus of the agreement. Relief would be delivered through international organisations, primarily UN agencies and the Palestinian Red Crescent.

    However, the agreement does not specify the future role of the US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Fund, which has been distributing food aid since May.

    The urgency of humanitarian access is underscored by the scale of destruction in Gaza. According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, Israel’s military campaign has killed more than 57,000 Palestinians. The offensive has triggered a hunger crisis, displaced much of the population internally, and left vast areas of the territory in ruins.

    Crucially, the agreement does not represent an end to the war, one of Hamas’s core demands. Instead, it commits both sides to continue negotiations throughout the 60-day period, with the hope of reaching a more durable and comprehensive ceasefire.

    Obstacles to a lasting peace

    Despite the apparent opportunity to reach a final ceasefire, especially after Israel has inflicted severe damage on Hamas, Netanyahu’s government appears reluctant to fully end the military campaign.

    There is scepticism a temporary ceasefire would lead to permanent peace.
    Anas-Mohammed/Shutterstock

    A central reason is political: Netanyahu’s ruling coalition heavily relies on far-right parties that insist on continuing the war. Any serious attempt at a ceasefire could lead to the collapse of his government.

    Militarily, Israel has achieved several of its tactical objectives.

    It has significantly weakened Hamas and other Palestinian factions and caused widespread devastation across Gaza. This is alongside the mass arrests, home demolitions, and killing of hundreds of Palestinians in the West Bank.

    And it has forced Hezbollah in Lebanon to scale back its operations after sustaining major losses.

    Perhaps most notably, Israel struck deep into Iran’s military infrastructure, killing dozens of high-ranking commanders and damaging its missile and nuclear capabilities.

    Reshaping the map

    Yet Netanyahu’s ambitions may go beyond tactical victories. There are signs he is aiming for two broader strategic outcomes.

    First, by making Gaza increasingly uninhabitable, his government could push Palestinians to flee. This would effectively pave the way for Israel to annex the territory in the long term – a scenario advocated by many of his far-right allies.

    Speaking at the White House, Netanyahu says he is working with the US on finding countries that will take Palestinians from Gaza:

    if people want to stay, they can stay, but if they want to leave, they should be able to leave.

    Second, prolonging the war allows Netanyahu to delay his ongoing corruption trial and extend his political survival.

    True intentions

    At the heart of the impasse is the far-right’s vision for total Palestinian defeat, with no concession and no recognition of a future Palestinian state. This ideology has consistently blocked peace efforts for three decades.

    Israeli leaders have repeatedly described any potential Palestinian entity as “less than a state” or a “state-minus”, a formulation that falls short of Palestinian aspirations and international legal standards.

    Today, even that limited vision appears to be off the table, as Israeli policy moves towards complete rejection of Palestinian statehood.

    With Palestinian resistance movements significantly weakened and no immediate threat facing Israel, this moment presents a crucial test of Israel’s intentions.

    Is Israel genuinely pursuing peace, or seeking to cement its dominance in the region while permanently denying Palestinians their right to statehood?

    Following its military successes and the normalisation of relations with several Arab states under the Abraham Accords, Israeli political discourse has grown increasingly bold.

    Some voices in the Israeli establishment are openly advocating for the permanent displacement of Palestinians to neighbouring Arab countries such as Jordan, Egypt and Saudi Arabia. This would effectively erase the prospect of a future Palestinian state.

    This suggests that for certain factions within Israel, the end goal is not a negotiated settlement, but a one-sided resolution that reshapes the map and the people of the region on Israel’s terms.

    The coming weeks will reveal whether Israel chooses the path of compromise and coexistence, or continues down a road that forecloses the possibility of lasting peace.

    Ali Mamouri does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. The US has high hopes for a new Gaza ceasefire, but Israel’s long-term aims seem far less peaceful – https://theconversation.com/the-us-has-high-hopes-for-a-new-gaza-ceasefire-but-israels-long-term-aims-seem-far-less-peaceful-260286

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • Ashwini Vaishnaw inaugurates railway development projects at Karpoorigram station in Bihar

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Union Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Monday inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for several infrastructure development projects at Karpoorigram railway station in Bihar’s Samastipur division, marking a significant step toward modernization of the region’s railway facilities.

    The minister began the day with an inspection of Digha Bridge Halt, where he reviewed key passenger amenities, safety, cleanliness, and security arrangements. He instructed officials to ensure a modern and safe travel experience for passengers, stating that enhancing passenger comfort is a top priority for the Indian Railways.

    At Karpoorigram station, Vaishnaw laid the foundation stone for redevelopment works worth Rs 3.30 crore, which will include the modernization of the station building, upgraded waiting rooms, improved sanitation facilities, digital information systems, drinking water units, and accessibility features for differently-abled passengers.

    He also inaugurated several newly constructed passenger facilities and performed the Bhoomi Pujan for Rs 14 crore underground railway subway at Level Crossing Gate No. 59 ‘C’ between Karpoorigram and Khudiram Bose Pusa stations. The subway is expected to reduce local traffic congestion and improve train operations in the area.

    Highlighting the government’s achievements, the minister noted that 35,000 km of new railway lines have been laid in the past 11 years, surpassing the performance of previous governments. He reaffirmed the Centre’s commitment to making Bihar an equal partner in the vision of a ‘Viksit Bharat’ (Developed India).

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Kholo Capital provides Bayport South Africa with a R200 million mezzanine debt growth funding facility to support the roll out of the Bayport South Africa (SA) Financial Wellness Solutions Programme

    Source: APO


    .

    Kholo Capital Mezzanine Debt Fund I (“Kholo Capital”) (www.KholoCapital.com) announced today the injection of a R200 million mezzanine debt growth funding facility into Bayport Securitisation (“Bayport South Africa” or “Bayport SA”) to support the roll out of the Bayport SA Financial Wellness Solutions Programme. Bayport SA is committed to alleviating employee over-indebtedness in South Africa and promoting long-term financial wellness of employees. This is achieved by offering them with practical debt solutions, which include debt reduction through negotiating settlement terms and discounts with creditors, halting legal action where possible, and improving employees’ credit scores, through its financial wellness solutions programme.

    Through the Bayport SA Financial Wellness Programme, Bayport SA addresses the widespread issue of over-indebtedness among South African employees. By providing tailored debt reductions (wherein the benefit of all settlement discounts negotiated with creditors is passed to the employees), debt consolidation and rehabilitation solutions, Bayport enables employees to regain financial stability and improve their long-term financial standing. The programme includes structured debt management processes and financial literacy initiatives, ensuring that employees not only reduce their debt obligations and debt repayments resulting in financial breathing room but also develop healthier long-term financial habits.

    Recent market data indicates that more than 60% of employed individuals in South Africa are struggling with over-indebtedness, while less than 14% of the South African population can afford to retire. Alarmingly, an average of 74% of income is spent on debt repayments, with 49% of all consumers falling more than one month behind on at least one loan. These findings highlight a critical socioeconomic issue that not only affects individual well-being and family units, but also impacts workplace productivity, stability, and staff morale.

    As a vital component of its initiative, Bayport SA offers employees, through partnerships with employers, a structured 10-week financial wellness journey aimed at providing both immediate relief and fostering long-term behavioural change. Employees can expect significant improvements in monthly cash flow (i.e., including significant debt reduction), enhanced expense management, and the ability to effectively plan for future financial milestones. The program includes personal financial health assessments, individualized coaching, and practical exercises to build sustainable financial habits. Additionally, employees engage in peer-led group sessions that promote accountability and support the development of effective money management practices.

    To further amplify the financial wellness program’s impact, Bayport SA supplies a range of digital tools and support services. These include a gamified financial wellness app that facilitates goal tracking and provides access to educational resources, along with one-on-one sessions with personal money coaches throughout the journey. The Bayport SA Academy offers online financial education and workshops to enhance financial literacy, while structured emergency credit facilities provide responsible short-term relief as an alternative to high-cost payday loans.

    Bayport SA is currently in partnership with more 70 employers across various industries in South Africa, including blue-chip corporations in FMCG, financial services, telecommunications, automotive, and mining sectors, as well as government entities at local, provincial, and national levels.

    Mokgome Mogoba, Managing Partner and Founder at Kholo Capital, remarked: “The positive ESG and social impact on the South African society by Bayport SA is substantial as the company provides significant debt relief to over-indebted employees. We are very passionate about financial inclusion and this investment achieves that. Bayport SA’s intervention in the South African economy is significant and measurable. Settlement discounts negotiated with creditors on behalf of employees can range between 25% and 80% of the total debt amount outstanding. The average increase in monthly disposable income is R7,450, representing 32.8% of the average basic salary of R22,865. This increase in financial flexibility is directly correlated with a substantial reduction in the total debt amount outstanding and reduction in monthly debt repayment obligations.”                                                                                                                        

    Zaheer Cassim, Managing Partner and Founder at Kholo Capital, asserted: “Bayport SA’s securitization program, is one of the best in South Africa. There has never been any payment defaults or covenant breaches, even during the challenging period of the COVID-19 pandemic. The securitization program is supported by leading South African institutional investors and South African banks. Bayport SA is also highly regarded for its first-class management team, transparent reporting practices and strong management engagement, with regular investor reporting and quarterly meetings with investors. The business is supported by strong shareholders of reference which include the Public Investment Corporation (PIC). We are very pleased with this investment in Bayport SA, and we look forward to supporting this highly talented and highly motivated management team in their vision to grow the business, by providing financial wellness solutions to the South African people.”

    Alfred Ramosedi, Chief Executive Officer of Bayport SA, commented: “We are proud to partner with Kholo Capital, whose commitment to impact investing aligns seamlessly with our mission to drive meaningful financial change. As one of South Africa’s leading financial wellness companies, this funding will enable us to scale our reach and deepen our impact – empowering even more South Africans with the tools and support to break free from debt and build financially resilient futures.”

    Norton Rose Fulbright acted as legal counsel to Kholo Capital and Werksmans acted as legal counsel for Bayport SA.

    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Kholo Capital.

    Notes to Editors

    About R1,4 billion Kholo Capital Mezzanine Debt Fund I

    Please keep Kholo Capital Mezzanine Debt in mind whenever equity funding is needed, we can plug some of the equity funding gap with mezzanine debt loan funding (subordinated loans) so that shareholders don’t give up too much equity and don’t suffer too much equity dilution.

    The R1,4bn Kholo Capital Mezzanine Debt Fund provides mezzanine debt funding R70m to R205m to medium sized businesses generating minimum R25m EBITDA per annum. We can invest in all sectors including real estate (but excluding primary mining, resources, commodities, primary farming, micro lending, gambling, ammunition, hard liquor and tobacco). However, we can invest in mining services/products, mining logistics/transportation, mineral processing, and Agri-processing.

    We provide growth capital and acquisition funding to mid-market companies with operations in South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Swaziland, or Lesotho. Investment tenor 4 to 7yrs targeting returns above 17% (interest rate plus equity upside). Leverage up to 3,5x to 4x Total Debt (senior debt and mezzanine debt) to EBITDA and/or up to 80% LTV.

    Kholo Capital is passionate about investing in sectors of the Southern African economy with high social impact including financial inclusion, affordable housing, healthcare, education, renewable energy, food security, ICT, and infrastructure. Our guiding business principles include commitment to add sustainable value to our investee companies and to adhere to the best ESG practices. The Fund uses the United Nation’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals as guiding principles with key focus on those linked to job creation and sustainable growth.

    We also fund share buy backs, refinancing of shareholder loans and dividend recaps. We also fund management buy-outs, leveraged buyouts and private equity buy-outs.

    We can also pay down portion of senior debt bank funding especially where the senior debt has steep capital repayments, in order to create cashflow headroom for the business. Mezzanine debt loan funding is typically 5-6yr flexible bullet loan funding with capital repayable right at the end on the maturity of the loan. The business only has to service interest payments during the loan tenor thereby creating cashflow headroom and the business can re-invest the excess cashflows for growth.

    Business or project must be generating minimum R25m EBITDA per annum at the time of investment. Meaning we can’t fund greenfield projects or new developments on a ring-fenced basis. We can look at greenfield opportunities or new projects provided there is an external guarantee (i.e., third party guarantee) from a business (i.e., balance sheet) that generates the minimum R25m EBITDA. The guarantee can fall away once the business meets the threshold and covenants are met.

    Also, we can’t fund distressed assets or big turnarounds.

    Kholo Capital is a specialist alternative investment fund management company with deep experience and track record in private markets. It was founded in 2020 by Mokgome Mogoba and Zaheer Cassim. The Kholo Capital investment team has more than 100 years of collective credit and investment experience and is highly skilled in senior debt, mezzanine debt and private equity. The investment team has a strong track record in the credit and investment space and has invested in excess of R50bn of mezzanine debt, private equity and senior debt investment transactions in over 90 transactions in more than 10 African countries. Kholo Capital is managed by a cohesive, dynamic and nimble team and the management team has worked together over the last 21 years.

    Website: www.KholoCapital.com

    Website: www.Bayport.co.za

    For more information contact:
    Mokgome Mogoba
    Managing Partner – Kholo Capital Mezzanine Debt Fund I
    mokgome@kholocapital.com
    Tel: +27-79-631-5860

    Zaheer Cassim
    Managing Partner – Kholo Capital Mezzanine Debt Fund I
    zaheer@kholocapital.com
    Tel: +27-83-786-0845

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • PM Modi arrives in Brasília for state visit, to hold talks with President Lula

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in the Brazilian capital Brasília on Monday, marking the second leg of his visit to Brazil after concluding a “very productive” trip to Rio de Janeiro for the 17th BRICS Summit.

    Upon his arrival, Prime Minister Modi was received at the airport by Brazil’s Defence Minister Jose Mucio Monteiro Filho.

    During his State Visit, the Indian Prime Minister is scheduled to hold bilateral discussions with Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.

    Briefing reporters on Sunday, India’s Ambassador to Brazil, Dinesh Bhatia, said that both sides are expected to sign four agreements or memorandums of understanding (MoUs). These will cover cooperation in renewable energy, counterterrorism, agricultural research between the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and Brazil’s Embrapa, and the exchange and mutual protection of confidential information.

    A relationship rooted in shared values

    India and Brazil share a multifaceted relationship which was elevated to a Strategic Partnership in 2006. The two countries also work closely in global and plurilateral forums such as BRICS, IBSA, G20, G-4, the International Solar Alliance and the Global Biofuel Alliance.

    The bilateral relationship is underpinned by a shared vision for a just global order, democratic values and the commitment to foster economic growth with social inclusion.

    Historically, the cultural exchanges between Brazil and India date back to the Portuguese colonial era. Indian cattle breeds like Gir and Kankrej, exported to Brazil in the early 20th century, have significantly contributed to Brazil’s dairy industry. The popularity of Brazilian television series such as Caminho das Indias has also enhanced India’s image in Brazilian popular culture.

    Diplomatic relations were formally established in 1948, with embassies opened in the same year. India’s embassy shifted from Rio de Janeiro to Brasilia in 1971.

    Strengthening economic ties

    The trade relationship between India and Brazil remains robust. In 2024-25, bilateral trade reached USD 12.2 billion, with Indian exports accounting for USD 6.77 billion and imports from Brazil at USD 5.43 billion. Major Indian exports include petroleum products, agro-chemicals, pharmaceuticals and engineering goods. Brazilian exports to India primarily comprise crude oil, soya oil, gold, raw sugar and cotton.

    Indian investments in Brazil are estimated at over USD 6 billion, while Brazilian investments in India are around USD 1 billion. Prominent Indian firms operating in Brazil include Tata Motors, Mahindra Tractors, Infosys, Wipro and Sun Pharma, among others. Conversely, Brazilian companies such as Vale, Stefanini and WEG have a presence in India.

    High-level visits and parliamentary exchanges

    In recent years, high-level exchanges have imparted momentum to the relationship. President Jair Bolsonaro paid a state visit to India in January 2020 and was the Chief Guest at India’s Republic Day Parade. During the visit, an Action Plan was adopted to strengthen the Strategic Partnership, leading to the signing of 15 agreements across diverse sectors.

    Parliamentary engagement has also expanded. Speaker of the Lok Sabha, Om Birla, led a delegation to attend the BRICS Parliamentary Forum in Brasilia in June 2025 and held meetings with Brazilian parliamentary leaders. Earlier, Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, Harivansh, participated in the G20 Parliamentary Speakers’ Summit in November 2024.

    Recently, a multi-party parliamentary delegation led by Dr. Shashi Tharoor visited Brasilia to discuss cross-border terrorism following the Pahalgam attack. They met Vice President Geraldo Alckmin and senior Brazilian officials.

    Expanding frontiers: space, energy and health

    India and Brazil collaborate in space technology through agreements for peaceful use of outer space and satellite tracking. India notably launched Brazil’s Amazonia-1 satellite in 2021.

    In oil and gas, Brazil is India’s largest upstream investment destination in the Americas, with Indian PSUs investing over USD 3.5 billion. The nations are also co-founders of the Global Biofuel Alliance, launched at the 2023 G20 Summit in New Delhi.

    Health and traditional medicine are other areas of cooperation. Ayurveda and Yoga are recognised under Brazil’s national policy of alternative medicine, and the two countries have agreed to collaborate on health surveillance, technology transfer and research.

     

  • King Charles hosts Macron in first European state visit since Brexit

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Britain’s King Charles will welcome French President Emmanuel Macron to Windsor Castle on Tuesday for the first state visit by a European leader since Brexit in a trip aimed at celebrating the return of closer political ties between the countries.

    The grand ceremonial event will be the first for Macron, who enjoys a good personal relationship with the king. The last state visit to Britain by a French president was in 2008, when Nicolas Sarkozy was a guest of the late Queen Elizabeth.

    Britain has been trying to reset ties with European allies since Prime Minister Keir Starmer was elected last year. The talks this week will focus on a range of issues, including how to stop people-smuggling and improving economic and defence ties at a time when the United States is retrenching from its traditional role as a defender of European security.

    Although there have been tensions over the shape of post-Brexit ties and how to stop asylum seekers from crossing the Channel in small boats, Britain and France have been working closely together to create a planned military force to support Ukraine in the event of a ceasefire with Russia.

    Sebastien Maillard, an associate fellow at London’s Chatham House think tank, said the two sides were seeking to repair some of the damage done by the Brexit negotiations in the run up to Britain leaving the EU in 2020, “when France was more or less playing the bad cop”.

    While Macron’s three-day visit is filled with meetings about economic issues and foreign affairs, the first day of the visit is largely focused on pageantry, and heavy in symbolism.

    Prince William and his wife Kate will greet Macron and his wife Brigitte at a military airport in London and will accompany them to Windsor where they will be officially welcomed by the king and Queen Camilla, and gun salutes.

    They will then travel in a carriage procession through Windsor’s streets, attend a military parade and then have lunch with the royal family at the castle.

    On Tuesday afternoon, Macron will travel back to London to speak to lawmakers in the parliament. The day will end with a state dinner at Windsor Castle, including speeches by the king and Macron in front of about 150 guests.

    MIGRANTS’ RETURN DEAL

    The following day Starmer will host Macron at Downing Street where they will discuss how to stop the flow of tens of thousands of asylum seekers across the Channel.

    British officials are hoping that Macron will agree to a pilot of an asylum seekers’ returns deal. This would involve Britain deporting one asylum seeker to France in exchange for another with a legitimate case to be in Britain, thereby disrupting the business model of people-smuggling gangs.

    A record number of asylum seekers have arrived in Britain on small boats from France in the first six months of this year. Starmer, trailing behind Nigel Farage’s insurgent, right-wing Reform UK party in the polls, is under pressure to come up with a solution.

    France has previously refused to sign up to such an agreement, saying Britain should negotiate an arrangement with all the EU countries.

    On Thursday, Starmer and Macron will host a UK-France summit to discuss other bilateral issues and how to support Ukraine. The two could also announce further cooperation on nuclear investment, such as at Sizewell C.

    Macron’s visit is a sign of a new era in relations.

    Former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said in his memoirs published last year that Macron wanted to punish Britain after it voted to leave the EU in 2016.

    Britain and France in recent years have publicly clashed over fishing rights and a submarine alliance that united Britain, Australia and the United States, but left France on the sidelines.

    (Reuters)

  • Hopes fade for Texas flood victims as death toll tops 95

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Search teams plodded through muddy riverbanks and flew aircraft over a flood-ravaged central Texas landscape on Monday as hopes dimmed for finding more survivors among dozens still missing from a disaster that has claimed at least 96 lives, many of them children.

    Three days after a torrential predawn downpour transformed the Guadalupe River into a raging, killer torrent, a Christian girls’ summer camp devastated by the flash flood confirmed that 27 campers and counselors were among those who had perished.

    Ten girls and a camp counselor were still unaccounted for, officials said on Monday, as search-and-rescue personnel faced the potential of more heavy rains and thunderstorms while clawing through tons of muck-laden debris.

    The bulk of the death toll from Friday’s flooding was concentrated in and around the riverfront Hill Country town of Kerrville, including the ill-fated grounds of Camp Mystic.

    By Monday afternoon, the bodies of 84 flood victims – 56 adults and 28 children – were recovered in Kerr County, most of them in the county seat of Kerrville, according to the local sheriff.

    As of midday Sunday, state and local officials said 12 other flood-related fatalities had been confirmed across five neighboring south-central Texas counties, and that 41 other people were still listed as missing outside Kerr County.

    The New York Times, one of numerous news media outlets publishing varying death tolls on Monday, reported that at least 104 people had been killed across the entire flood zone.

    ‘ROUGH WEEK’ AHEAD

    While authorities continued to hold out hope that some of the missing would turn up alive, the likelihood of finding more survivors diminished as time passed.

    “This will be a rough week,” Mayor Joe Herring Jr said at a briefing on Monday morning.

    Camp Mystic, a nearly century-old Christian girls’ retreat on the banks of the Guadalupe was at the epicenter of the disaster.

    “Our hearts are broken alongside our families that are enduring this unimaginable tragedy,” the camp said in a statement on Monday.

    Richard “Dick” Eastland, 70, Mystic’s co-owner and director, died trying to save children at his camp from the flood, multiple media, including the Austin American-Statesman reported. He and his wife, Tweety Eastland, have owned the camp since 1974, according to its website.

    “If he wasn’t going to die of natural causes, this was the only other way, saving the girls that he so loved and cared for,” Eastland’s grandson, George Eastland, wrote on Instagram.

    MISHAP IN THE SKY

    Authorities lost one of their aviation assets on Monday when a privately operated drone collided in restricted airspace over the Kerr County flood zone with a search helicopter, forcing the chopper to make an emergency landing. No injuries were reported, but the aircraft was put out of commission, according to the Kerr County Sheriff’s Office.

    National Weather Service forecasts on Monday predicted that up to 4 more inches of rain could douse Texas Hill Country, with isolated areas possibly receiving as much as 10 inches (25 cm).

    Allison Santorelli, a meteorologist with the NWS Weather Prediction Center in College Park, Maryland, said the potential for renewed flooding was particularly heightened by the saturated condition of the soil and mounds of debris already strewn around the river channel. A flood watch was posted until 7 p.m.

    State emergency management officials had warned on Thursday, ahead of the July Fourth holiday, that parts of central Texas faced the possibility of flash floods based on National Weather Service forecasts.

    But twice as much rain as was predicted ended up falling over two branches of the Guadalupe just upstream of the fork where they converge, sending all of that water racing into the single river channel where it slices through Kerrville, City Manager Dalton Rice said.

    Rice said the outcome, the result of an unpredictable combination of circumstances, was unforeseen and unfolded in a matter of two hours.

    “Why didn’t we evacuate? Well, evacuation is a delicate balance,” he said in response to reporters’ questions on Monday. “If you evacuate too late, you then risk putting buses, or cars, or vehicles or campers on roads into low-water areas, trying to get them out, which then can make it even more challenging.”

    “It’s very tough to make those calls, because what we also don’t want to do is cry wolf.”

    The chief meteorologist for commercial forecaster AccuWeather, Jonathan Porter, said authorities had ample time to move people to higher ground before the flood struck.

    Rice and other public officials, including Governor Greg Abbott, said the circumstances of the flooding, and the adequacy of weather forecasts and warning systems, would be scrutinized once the immediate situation was brought under control.

    Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer on Monday asked a government watchdog to investigate whether budget cuts imposed by the Trump administration contributed to any delays or inaccuracy in forecasting the floods.

    U.S. Senator Ted Cruz, a Texas Republican, said there would be time to examine whether more could have been done to prevent the loss of life but that now was not the time for “partisan finger-pointing.”

    (Reuters)